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Arthritis? Not to Worry

Almost every single day I interact with a person who “HAS” arthritis. They say it like it is a death sentence. Like they are doomed to pain and the inability to enjoy life.

How does one know if they have arthritis?

Well, they just feel because their parent, sibling, cousin, neighbor, etc has arthritis and their problem is similar that arthritis MUST be the problem. Some doctor took a picture of their body part and said “yep there’s your problem, you got arthritis.” Or worse yet, they were looking for something else, saw the “arthritis” in the same area and now that is all you can think about. Now a body part that did not hurt…hurts….because a doctor told you that you have arthritis.

But is it really the problem? Did arthritis JUST appear the day you began to have problems or pain?

Just what exactly is arthritis?

Well, there are several different forms, so I will stick to the most common, osteoarthritis. Basically, osteoarthritis is a change of joint surfaces due to NORMAL wear and tear.

Did you know that arthritis is just a part of NORMAL aging…

If you have enough birthdays you will eventually get arthritis. So unless you wish to die young, chances are you will get arthritis and most will be just FINE.

Arthritis does not just appear, it develops over many years. Some people may be predisposed to arthritis based on genetics or they may sustain an injury in younger years that speeds the process, but time is involved. Right now there are millions of people walking around with “ARTHRITIS” and are just fine. They are not limited or slowed by their arthritis or pain.

But how you ask? I thought arthritis meant pain and inability to be active? NOT EVEN CLOSE…more on this to come momentarily.

READ below for your TO DO and NOT TO DO list- to live a life not limited by arthritis.

Let’s start with the What NOT to do list:

Do not sit around and do nothing- Over time, this can lead to muscle weakness, muscle/joint stiffness or tightness, and an overall reduced tolerance for activity

Do not think taking pills will solve the problem- Pills can have harmful side effects when taken long term. This can include liver or kidney damage, dependency on the drugs or even death. Plus pills only mask symptoms, they do not solve the problem.

Do not think surgery is the answer- Why not do everything you can to avoid surgery? After all, rehab will be necessary after your surgery anyway.

Do not think there is nothing that can be done- That only applies if one does nothing

Now, what should you DO list:

Be active- Moving around (even just walking) and remaining active helps keeps your muscle, joints, ligaments and bones healthy. This also reduces the likelihood of developing secondary issues from being sedentary.

Find an exercise (program) that you enjoy. Exercise stimulates endorphins which help the body and mind feel good

Address your concerns by seeing a physical therapist. They listen, examine, and develop a plan to help you meet your goals. Early consultation tends to result in better outcomes compared to those waiting until they are severely suffering.

John-Mark Chesney

Dr. John-Mark Chesney, PT, DPT, OCS, CDNT helps people in Knoxville stay active, healthy and mobile - so you can spend time doing the activities you love instead of sitting at the doctor’s office. His practice, Simply Physio, specializes in helping people in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s move and feel better without the use of prescription pain-killers or procedures like injections or surgery. For more than a decade, 1000’s of people have trusted John-Mark Chesney with their healthcare questions concerning aches and pains. He has been providing solutions for people who suffer from disabling pain, solutions that don’t involve pain medication, braces, injections, or surgery. He works with people 40- 60+ on a daily basis and has completed extensive training on the most effective, research supported, hands-on treatments and healing movements that can give fast relief to people who suffer from muscle and joint pain. Clients seek out John-Mark Chesney as he has built a reputation for helping people regain their independence and return back to an active and healthy lifestyle.